What is my goal, your goal, everyone’s goal?
Without an exception, it is bound to be the pursuit of happiness.
Even the person who is subjecting himself to all kinds of bodily pain, or even he who smilingly goes up to the gallows to sacrifice his life for his country, are all seeking an inner happiness.
So is the pursuit of happiness the most important thing?
Yes and no.
Yes. Because the pursuit of ultimate happiness, everlasting happiness, is certainly of paramount importance.
Our rishis, called this ultimate happiness – Mukti. Moksh. Kaivalya. Salvation.
But reaching it is not easy. It is an arduous path. A person who is seeking short term pleasures would soon grow weary of this path and give up.
But if one continues on this path, one may not feel immediate pangs of pleasure. But one evolves. Slowly and surely, one evolves.
So to evolve is to get closer and closer to that ultimate happiness, for which one is striving for. To attain which, one is prepared to forego short term gratification.
So what is my goal? To be happy, or to evolve?
Do I prefer to be happy while not evolving, or to evolve even as feelings of happiness seem far away.
I go for the ultimate happiness. I go for the need to evolve.
And my steadfastness towards that need, will make the journey internally joyous, even if outwardly trying.
Om.